Transcription profile of chemokine receptors, cytokines and cytotoxic markers in peripheral blood of dogs with epitheliotropic cutaneous lymphoma.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Mycosis fungoides (MF) is the most common form of canine epitheliotropic cutaneous lymphoma, which is characterized by the accumulation of neoplastic CD8(+) T cells. Given that multifocal skin lesions are commonly seen in MF, neoplastic lymphocytes may actively migrate into the blood circulation. HYPOTHESIS/OBJECTIVES: Cytotoxic T cells with a skin-homing phenotype could be increased in the blood circulation of dogs with MF. ANIMALS Ten dogs with MF and 10 age-matched healthy dogs were included. METHODS: The transcription levels of chemokine receptors, cytokines and cytotoxic markers in peripheral blood of dogs with MF were quantified by real-time RT-PCR. RESULTS: The dogs with MF had lower transcription levels of chemokine receptors associated with skin homing (CCR4), epitheliotropism (CXCR3), lymph node homing (CCR7), a type-1 cytokine (LT-α) and cytotoxic markers (perforin and granzyme B) in the circulation than healthy control dogs (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE The present results suggest that the number of peripheral cytotoxic T cells with a skin-homing phenotype could be decreased in the peripheral blood of dogs with MF, which might be due to the sequestration of cytotoxic T cells in the lesional skin.